The Met Office has forecast snowfall and rain in the country’s northern areas from Friday (tomorrow) and has also predicted showers in parts of Sindh, including Karachi, and Balochistan from January 21 to 23.
The Pakistan Meteorological Department’s (PMD) forecast issued on Thursday said: “A shallow westerly wave is likely to approach upper parts of the country from January 16 and may persist till January 19.”
It added that the weather system was expected to strengthen from January 20 and grip most parts of the country from January 21.
The PMD said that rain and thunderstorm was expected in various parts of Sindh, including Karachi, Hyderabad, Dadu, Jacobabad, Naushahro Feroze, Kashmore, Larkana, Shaheed Benazirabad, Mirpurkhas and Ghotki on January 22 and 23 with “occasional gaps”.
It also predicted the same for multiple areas of Balochistan, including Quetta, Ziarat, Chaman, Pishin, Qila Abdullah, Qila Saifullah, Noushki, Harnai, Zhob, Kalat, Barkhan, Sibi, Loralai, Musakhel, Turbat, Gwadar, Jiwani, Lasbella, Kech, Awaran, Chaghi, Panjgur, Khuzdar, Washuk and Kharan on January 21 and 22.
Furthermore, the Met Office forecast “moderate to heavy snowfall” in Quetta, Ziarat, Chaman, Pishin, Qila Abdullah, Qila Saifullah, Noshki, Harnai and Zhob during that period.
In the northern areas of the country, the PMD said “widespread rain-wind/thunderstorm” was predicted from January 20 to 23 in Gilgit Baltistan’s Diamer, Astore, Ghizer, Skardu, Hunza, Gilgit, Ghanche and Shigar districts; Azad Kashmir’s (AJK) Neelum Valley, Muzaffarabad, Poonch, Hattian, Bagh, and Haveli districts; as well as in Murree, Galliyat, Islamabad, and the Potohar region.
“Light rain/snowfall” was also expected in Murree, Galliyat and surroundings from January 18 to 20.
Punjab’s Sargodha, Gujranwala, Lahore, Sahiwal, Multan, Faisalabad, Dera Ghazi Khan, and Bahawalpur divisions and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Peshawar, Hazara, Malakand, Mardan, Kohat, Bannu, and Dera Ismail Khan divisions would also likely experience “widespread rain-wind/thunderstorm” from January 20 to 23.
The Met Office also predicted “heavy snowfall” in KP’s Chitral, Dir, Swat, Kalam, Shangla, Kohistan, Battagram, Mansehra and Abbottabad; AJK’s Neelum Valley, Bagh, Haveli and Rawalakot; along with Murree and Galliyat from January 20 (night) to 23 with occasional gaps.
The Met Office warned that “heavy snowfall may cause road closure and slippery conditions“ in Naran, Kaghan, Dir, Swat, Kalam, Chitral, Kohistan, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Shangla, Astore, Hunza, Skardu, Murree, Galliyat, Neelum Valley, Bagh, Poonch, Haveli, Quetta, Ziarat, Chaman, Pishin, Qila Abdullah, Qila Saifullah, Noshki, Harnai and Zhob from January 21 to 23.
It further said there was a possibility of “landslides and avalanches” in hilly areas of upper KP, GB and AJK during the period.
“Tourists are advised to remain extra cautious and avoid unnecessary travelling during the forecast period,” the press release said.
It added that fog condition was likely to diminish in Punjab, KP and upper Sindh during the wet spell.
“Daytime temperatures are likely to drop significantly during the period,” the PMD advisory said.
According to the Met Office, the country received 34 per cent less rainfall in December 2025 than it normally does.
Cold wave alert for northern regions
Separately, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) also issued a cold wave alert for the upper and northern regions of the country.
The NDMA, in a statement issued by the National Emergencies Operations Centre (NEOC), forecast a strong cold wave expected to affect GB, upper KP and AJK over the coming days, resulting in heavy snowfall over high-altitude and hilly areas.
“Very cold to extremely cold conditions are likely to prevail, particularly during nighttime and early morning hours, while daytime temperatures are expected to remain below normal,” the statement read.
Earlier this month, the PMD had dismissed reports claiming that an “extreme cold wave” was expected from January 16 to 25.
The forecast indicated “moderate to heavy snowfall over high-altitude and hilly areas”, which may lead to disruptions in road connectivity, transportation, and power supply in mountainous regions.
“Adjoining plains are expected to experience cold and dry weather, with frost formation in isolated pockets,” the forecast added.
The prevailing conditions may “increase the risk of snow slides and avalanches at vulnerable locations” in hilly areas, posing threats to human safety, infrastructure, and livestock.
“Prolonged exposure to extreme cold and snowfall may also heighten health risks, especially for children, the elderly, and those with pre-existing medical conditions, while frost may cause damage to standing crops and orchards in nearby plain areas,” the statement said further.
In view of the expected weather conditions, the NDMA advised the public to “avoid non-essential travel to high-altitude and snowfall-prone areas and to ensure the use of snow chains where travel is unavoidable”.
It also urged citizens to “make adequate arrangements for heating, warm clothing, and shelter”, with particular attention to protecting vulnerable populations, with advice for local communities to “remain vigilant and strictly follow advisories” issued by relevant local authorities.
The NDMA directed all provincial and district authorities concerned to remain on high alert and ensure preparedness for snow clearance operations, emergency response, and timely restoration of essential services, including electricity and communications.
The statement further said the NDMA, through its NEOC, would continue to monitor the situation closely and issue further updates as required.
It also advised the public to “obtain authentic and official information through television and radio broadcasts, verified social media platforms, and the Pak NDMA Disaster Alert mobile application, to stay informed and take necessary precautionary measures.
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